Sang Mendy An impressive crowd turned up at St Mathew’s Basic Cycle School to witness the launch of Kartong Weekly News website.

The launch took place on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at the school’s hall amidst happy attendees who thinks if the website if properly managed will take Kartong to the world. Speaking at the launch Modou Mbye Jabang who spoke on behalf of the Alkalo said the website could not have come at a better time than this. He noted that, Kartong has already announced her name in the world through many projects, notably the Kartong Festival but is confident that the website is a good platform for more publicity for the village. He said, “Today we are privileged to be connected to the world. The mass media such as Television, Radio and the internet is very important. I am glad we have the internet that can connect us to the rest of the world.” He however, urges the administrators of the website to manage and use it to propagate the good name of Kartong. “I therefore task the youth of the village to make good use of the website.” He compared the internet to the ‘Bantaba’ where villagers use to sit to discuss issues but warned that the platform should not be used to offend people. “We might have our difference but please, let us not take our difference to the website,” he appealed. He concluded by challenging all youth to be involved in the information gathering and dissemination. Modou Lamin Manneh who spoke on behalf of Kartong Association of Responsible Tourism, (KART) said the launch of the website will open many ways for the people of Kartong both home and abroad. He said social media such as website creates opportunities such as access to information, debates, and discussions and create awareness. He said it can also build skills though interactions and idea sharing. He added, “The young people of Kartong should go the extra mile to make the best use of the website.” He however warned the young people of Kartong to be aware of the dangers of the internet and called on them to stay safe online. Ida Jeng, a gender activist urged the young people of Kartong to emulate Kanjura Manneh who is the pioneer of the website. She described Kanjura as a hardworking man who is honest and straightforward. She however expressed her dissatisfaction on the low turnout of women to the launch nothing that women are key players in development and must be encouraged to participate in all sectors of development. She promised to give Kartong Weekly News her write-ups in development related issues such as early marriage, teenage pregnancy and women or gender issues. A senior villager, Mr Balla Manneh said he has never been happy in his life like he was when he heard of the news that Kartong is working on a website. “Having a platform that will promote Kartong to the world is worth jubilating. “I might be old but I know how important journalism is. “To me, there is nothing more important than spreading information. “Journalists have the ability to make the world the best place to live and but can also turn the world into hell fire. “So, I urge everyone connected to the website to be that positive change maker. “I urge to you to go the right news and not news that will create confusing and problems.” Other speakers such as Ba Kawsu Manneh and Ba Badou Sambou all echoed similar sentiments.

﻿UTG orients first batch of Journalism students﻿

Students and Top guns of UTG posing after orientation

By Sang Mendy

Students enrolled to study Journalism and Digital Media at the University of The Gambia were oriented on the does and don’ts of the university at an orientation ceremony held on Tuesday morning at the university’s Law Faculty in Kanifing. The orientation exposed the students to barrage of messages, most of which were words of wisdom and encouragements from the top guns of the university. They were also informed of expected challenges the students might encounter during the four year programme, putting emphasis on academic excellence which according to all the speakers will not be negotiated.Vice chancellor of the UTG Speaking to the students, the vice chancellor of the UTG, Professor Muhamadou M.O. Kah, congratulated the new students for being part of history at the institution. He described the move to create the School of Journalism and Digital Media as one of the most important interventions the UTG has undertaken. He revealed that this has always been what the Gambian leader had long for stating that President Jammeh has time and time instructed him to establish a School of Information Technology and Communications as well as the School of Journalism given their vitality to economic development of a state. This, he stated, challenged the UTG to immediately develop and design a rigorous and respectable world-class undergraduate programme in journalism that will ensure that those that come, work hard and go through the programme, will not only be certificated upon completion, but will have requisite skills to practice journalism everywhere in the world. The vice chancellor, assured the students that a high quality curriculum is put up for this programme to deliver quality academic and professional skills needed for journalism. “We wanted to make sure that the curriculum that you are about to engage yourselves will be compliant with other curriculums in the sub-region, but we will also meet our local needs and additionally we will make your academic training compliant. “We wanted to address not only the requirements of the harmonisation within the sub-region, but to ensure that any aspect of the curriculum that does not exist in the sub-region but exists elsewhere is embedded in your curriculum,” he concluded.Coordinator School of Journalism The coordinator of the UTG School of Journalism Programme, Nana Grey-Johnson, expressed delight to be part of history, and to witness the first ever orientation ceremony for the first cohort of journalism students at the UTG, something he has been praised for contributing immensely to. He described the moment as historic. The UTG School of Journalism coordinator assured the new students that the programme that will be offered is equal to programmes in universities in Nigeria, Senegal and all other ECOWAS countries. “So that is satisfaction in itself knowing that you are engaged in something that is enterprising and worthwhile,” he concluded. The deputy vice chancellor, Administration and Finance, Dr. Omar Jah, The acting dean of School of Arts and Sciences, Pierre Gomez, The UTG’s secretary, Jenung Manneh and The UTG registrar, Momodou Lamin Tarru, also echoed showered the students who were all ears with words of wisdom and encouragement. This batch of students, most of whom are practitioners, will undergo a four-year Bachelor of Arts Degree Programme.

A mosquito punches down strong men, kills weak onesSang Mendy dialogue on Malaria A mosquito? Yes What is a mosquito? It is an insect that causes malaria; a deadly disease very common in The Gambia. How big is a mosquito? Big? Did you say big? Oh not the biggest of all insects. It is very tiny, if not the tiniest insect in the insect family. So how comes it can down strong men and kill weak ones? When you get bit by the mosquito that causes malaria, you might get malaria which in turn destroys the blood cells and weaken the body immune systems fight against diseases. Hey, I still don’t know why strong men can be knocked down by such a tiny insect. My dear, pray to God you don’t have malaria because it weakens your legs thus limit your movement; even to visit the nearest health post is a problem. It does not stop there, it dims your visions, inject fever on to you, develop headache, you develop no taste for food and when you have appetite, mostly you vomit out all after eating and for some constant visit of the toilet. See all these signs. That is why it is capable of putting the strongest men down. How long can it last on your body before it knocks you down? If it strikes and immediate treatment is seek, it might take three or four days BUT if you fail to treat it on time, it wins. And when it wins, human beings cry, whip or mourn. So which set of people are at risk or more vulnerable? Oh, the women, young ones and pregnant women. But why is this so? Because research shows that these set of people have weak immune systems which serve as soldiers to fight the plasmodium parasite. Can we avoid been bitten by the mosquito many call the ‘MUSSY’? The answers are YES and NO. Yes when we sleep under insecticide treated bed nets which repel the Mussy. We can also apply mosquito repellent. No, we can’t avoid been bitten by the mosquito throughout the year because we can afford these protective measures all the time. Then how safe are we? We will only be safe if these insects are eliminated or terminated. If not these insects in the billions will continue to strike. How many mosquitoes do you think are in this country? my friend stop pulling my legs. How can we count them? In some houses alone, there could be more than a hundred because they breed on stagnant water. So in my own estimation, there might be around billion mosquitoes in this country. Then eliminating such an insect is a daunting task then. Yes a big one, unless the government comes up with the spraying strategies. How frequently can government do that? If the funds are there, they could do every three weeks. Hmmm but who knows how much money will that cost the government. Whatever it is a healthy nation is a wealthy nation so it is worth investing. When malaria strokes you, you don’t go to work, school or farm. It renders you worthless which comes down to the state losing some revenue. I wrote this piece because despite my strength and despite my precautions against malaria, it strokes me on Saturday. The next day I walked my way to get medication but it took me four days to recover my strength because I was not eating, and when I try I vomit all; my eyes dim, my body weak to do thing on my own. What is your advice? Try to prevent mosquito bites but this is an herculean task. So in case you failed in your bid to prevent malaria, whenever you feel those signs above, visit the nearest health post for quick treatment, if not tears will roll and hearts broken. My wish? Is to never see a mosquito again. Is this possible? I don’t know. Share if you once have malaria and want to put a stop to it.

General News

GPU to train journalists on gender reporting, ethics and media law

By Sang MendyThe Gambia Press Union, GPU, has upped the ante for a three day training seminar designed to empower as well as develop skills of its members in the execution of their jobs in a non-media free environment.

According to organisers, the objective of the seminar slated for 20th to the 22nd June, 2013, "is to improve the ability of journalists to report on complex issues relating to corruption, human rights violations and core values of democracy in professional, ethical and constructive manner."

They said the training is part of activities the Union is undertaking with support from the UNDP Banjul Office, under the project Strengthening Capacities of Governance Institutions.

The three day convergence came as a result of an understanding between the government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs as the implementing party, and the Gambia Press Union as the sub-implementing party, whereas the UNDP provides funding in the context of the quarterly FACE and ICE.

FOTGA open Charity account for demised Max Jallow

By Sang Mendy Friends of the gambia have gone a step ahead of just sending condolences to the Jallow family following the sudden death of Momodou Max Jallow.

Fotga have opened a new page on their Virgin Money Giving Site for his friends and loved ones to make a donation in memory of Max Jallow. According to Fotga, all proceeds will be given to the Jallow family in Brufut. Martin Myers, a member of the Fotga Drumbeat said: “We’ve all been deeply saddened by the death of Mamudou Max Jallow who sadly passed away on 19th May 2013. “Max was a founder member of the Brufut Marathon Association and a staunch supporter and friend of our charity, Friends of The Gambia Association. “Max touched the lives of so many people both in The Gambia and here in the UK. His passion, drive and talent was clear for all to see and admire. “His work as the Executive Secretary of the National Sports Council enabled him to break down barriers within Gambian sport and youth development. “The legacy he left behind in this role will live on long after his curtailed life.” Gambians home and abroad and anyone who knows Max contribute to the charity by clicking on this link: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/finalCharityHomepage.action?charityId=1006521&pageId=310230

Lamin Cham pays tribute to his fallen friend-Max Jallow

By Lamin Cham Death struck Max Jallow on Sunday the 19 May and thousands of Gambians mourned the life a rising charismatic figure whose charm and openness made him multitude of friends and admirers. But that was Max at a distance. For those close to him among them myself, Max was a gigantic and towering personality laden with immense courage and determination that made him an indispensable ally in social and community service. I began to notice this ever amiable young boy in the late 80s but when sports brought us closer on the birth of the Brufut Marathon in 1995, I came to know the man and his unrivaled passionate and enthusiasm for sports and youth development , innovations and inspirational leadership.No meetings, decisions or suggestions were even half complete without Max putting an input that might sound over the mark but almost always logical. His brain child, the Brufut Marathon, is now an international brand thanks to Max’s unrelenting drive and zeal in popularising the Run which has now become a Permanente fixture in the Gambian calendar and replicated around the country. The only noise that attracted Max was sports activities or meetings, or youth development programmes. Perhaps Max can be credited for the single largest contribution to the development and promotion of sports in Brufut, having served in managerial and of late advisory capacities in all sporting organisations in the town. This exuberance was exported to the national stage once Max took control of the National Sports Council in 2011. In no time that technical arm of the sports ministry began to gain the importance and attention it deserves. Max was able to reinvigorate the council’s’ role and standing and raise its profile to the roof top in Gambian sports administration. Going by his famous mantra, “Go to the people, eat with the, live with them , Max used his charm and positive assertiveness to tactfully implement directives on thorny issues such as the registration and criteria standards for national associations and harmonise their interactions with government. In fact It can safely be said that only Max Jallow could tell, and sometimes without consulting notes, who is who in all national associations. It was to him that questions such as who is, or was the president, secretary or treasurer of which organisation is asked in the Gambia . Max was the one who knew which associations had won which medal in which country and when. Max knew which athlete or wrestler had impressed at which meeting etc. His resilience and ever present personality made his office the first port of call for anyone with any plan for Gambian sports. Of all the many executive secretaries who served the National Sports Council Max was the most well-known, his popularity with the media often cause concern for his superiors. But Max was not bothered. For him running an office is public service and so every twist and turn of the Council’s activities should be in the public domain to create better and right understanding. He was never away from the back pages or radio and TV sports shows, which helped to build him an image constantly in public eye. Yet Max never abused official confidentiality. I remember many frustrating moments when I unsuccessfully sought clarifications from him over matters under his purview. He would say, ‘Boy, am constrained and I cannot give out confidential information entrusted to me. Besides everyone will know your source since they know am your friend’’. That was Max. I last spoke to him at 7.51 am as he pack his bags heading to the catch a plane to Dakar that Sunday, three hours before he died. His last word to me were. “Cham please you and Ba Jabbie should take the meetings between the Brufut Marathon Association and the Nova Scotia Gambia Association seriously as I am travelling to Dakar, Germany and the UK’’. Max did travel that Sunday morning. But he fooled me. He was going for ever. Brother, you have left so suddenly and so soon that part of me went with you. How can I come to terms that you will never again be on the telephone all day and night for us to update one another or meet at home or Nursery school or the Brufut School field? How can I go the stadium now? Whose office will I go to? Would I be able to ride on NSC 1 any more? How can we coordinate the next Brufut marathon run? Who will pick the GRTS crew, the Ice Man juice? Who would give the progress and development speech? Who deals with the cyclists? Who keeps touch with the Friends of The Gambia? What is the theme of the run this time, Max? We promised Darko that we will run a full marathon in 2015 Max. Have you forgotten? Then why did you do this to us.? Max are you with me?

A fitting tribute for a fallen soul (Momodou Max Jallow)

By Sang Mendy

The Gambia is mourning the death of Mamudou Max Jallow, who until his death was the Executive Secretary of the National Sports Council.

Max was pronounced dead at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital on Sunday at around 11am. Born June 13, 1968 in Ndungukebbeh and bred in Brufut, Max was blessed with six children, two boys and four are girls. He went Brufut Primary School before he proceeded to St Peter High School in Lamin for his O Level. It would be recalled that Max, worked as a teacher and then as a cadet planner at the Ministry of Agriculture before proceeding to the University Extension Programme ( UEP) where he got a BA degree in Development Studies - Major in International Development Studies and Minor in Political Science and Economics. At the University Of The Gambia he was involved the sports department. Jallow was appointment as the Executive Secretary of the National Sports Council took effect on 1 February 2011, replacing Abdul Aziz Titao Mendy, who was temporarily running the position. Max Jallow joined the NSC in 2001 as a development officer. He was offered a sponsorship package in 2004 by the International Olympic Committee through the Gambia National Olympic to do a Master’s programme in Sports Science in the United Kingdom. Upon his return after successfully completing his studies, Jallow was again offered another sponsorship by the President's Empowerment for Girls Education Project (PEGP) to pursue a PhD in Sport Tourism in The Gambia but, according to him, he could not complete that programme due to financial difficulties. He was both the head and the heart of the annual Brufut Marathon Run which has been in existence for 19years. What mourners have to say about Max Speaking at his funeral The minister of Youth and Sports, Honourable Alieu K Jammeh, described Max Jallow as a personification of patriotism, loyalty to country, and to the development of this country particularly in sports. “And also very importantly, Max is very much concerned about community development. He connects very easily with his community and not only community, Max connects with everybody in this country. Jammeh described Max Jallow as a person with qualities that every person should endeavour to copy, qualities which he said are embedded in good people who are ready to develop their societies, communities and nations. “Everybody in the sports fraternity knows that he was a good person, and as we come here to pay our respects and go back, I ask everybody to pray for him for eternal peace, pray for his family and then go back with those virtues and qualities that we see in Max. As a matter of fact, I was preparing to travel with him next week, today he was preparing to go to Dakar to get our visas sorted out.”Max Jallow's mentor and role model

For his part, The governor of West Coast Radio, Lamin Sanneh who was one of those who mentored the late Max Jallow said: “I am very sad and not only me but the entire country. Max Jallow was a friend of mine whom I groomed and knew well before this days as a sports coordinator. And when I realised his potentials, I gave him all the support and really he was an asset to this country especially in sports. “I can recall in 2003 when Max Jallow came to the National Sports Council as a development officer and within those period, he applied for scholarship for studies and he came through me for advice and I advised him to apply through the President’s Office. And luckily for him, I moved to State House under PEGEB [President’s Empowerment of Girls Education Project], I made a follow up and he was able to get a scholarship to study in the Leeds University in England.” Governor Sanneh further prayed to God the Almighty to grant him the best place in heaven and may his family also have the heart to accept this great loss,” he added.NSC Chairman on Max

The chairman of the National Sports Council, Sulayman Bun Njie, said that Max died in his hands on Sunday morning. He added: “On Thursday he came and said I had to sign some cheques because he was travelling and doesn’t want anyone to blame him for not doing his job that they could not have their salary. He gave us a parting speech, he knew what was happening. He was dedicated to Gambia and replacing him would be difficult. “We wish him a very wonderful place in Janna’h and may his soul rest in perfect peace.”NSC Development Officer on Max

Fabakary Touray, the Development Officer of the National Sports Council, said: “Max was full of smiles which are not false or plastic smiles but real smiles. He guides people under him to achieve the truth of great leadership for our beloved country. Despite he is gone, he has left a legacy for us especially myself. We have seen the turnout of the crowd at his burial and only good people get those kind of crowds. I told everyone that Max bade farewell to us on Friday which was a non-working day for the Civil Service to give us all our responsibilities.” Colleagues at the Brufut Marathon Committee and the youths of the village said Mamudou Max Jallow was a great loss for the entire country and the only thing they prayed for is for him to be granted a place in Janna’h. Buba Jallow, who guided the female U-17 team to the World Cup in Azerbaijan, said he was scheduled to have a meeting with Max Jallow at their football academy in Brufut. “I called his phone twice and there was no answer until the third time when the Treasurer [of the academy] told me that Max was gone,” he added.

Karamo Saidy and Malang Manneh all shared the same comments as the previous speakers.

Abdoulie Bah in as Mayor of BCC, Samba Faal out

Outgoing mayor, Samba Faal

By Sang Mendy10 independent candidates won seats in local government offices across the country Abdoulie Bah is the new Mayor of the Banjul City Council replacing Samba Faal. Bah who stood as an independent candidate beat Samba Faal of the APRC to the mayoral seat. This is the second time since an incumbent under the APRC flagship suffered defeat to independent candidate in Banjul. Abdoulie Bah secured 4, 980 votes while Samba Faal polled 3, 811 votes. The two other independent candidates polled a few hundreds, described by many as “insignificant”. Out of the 45 constituencies contested, 35 seats went to APRC, including the post of mayor of Kanifing Municipality. Unlike Banjul, the KMC mayoral seat was clinched by the incumbent Yankuba Colley who stood in the name of APRC. The National Reconciliation Party has lost in all the constituencies contested. Citizens of The Gambia have fewer candidates to choose from in the local government elections because the opposition have boycotted the elections in protest over what they call ‘unleveled playing field’ for the holding of free and fair elections. The enthusiasm the greeted the presidential elections in 2011 have died out with President Yahya Jammeh’s victory. The parliamentary election which followed in 2012 was boycotted by the opposition parties. The protest of boycotting elections continues as all opposition parties except the National Reconciliation Party chose not to contest the Local Government elections.

Gambia Journalists can now acquire Diploma in Journalism

Gambian journalists now have the opportunity to acquire journalism training up to Diploma level. This development came when The National Training Authority (NTA) formally accredited the Gambia Press Union School of Journalism to provide journalism education in the country.

This means products of the GPU School of Journalism will now undergo a formal structure for journalism education. The GPU School of Journalism is mandated to offer journalism education up to diploma level within the framework of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in The Gambia. Unlike other training opportunities that had been offered in the country previously, the PRP provided depth and scope, coherence and system, innovation and creativity in its curriculum, pedagogy and methodology, thus positioning itself as a model for journalism education in the country. Because of its eclectic and practical nature, the PRP was lauded as “a revolution” in journalism education in The Gambia. With Gambian journalists usually referred to as join-the-lists, newcomers to the media have great opportunities of mastering basic journalism as well as being updated on international developments in professional methods, standards and technologies. However, with the coming into being of the GPU School of Journalism, Gambian journalism is now poised to redeem itself and entrench professionalism finally. The school has its roots in a two-year Danida-funded pilot project that ran from 2010 to 2012. Known as the Professional Reporter Programme (PRP), the pilot project sought to raise standards of Gambian journalism up to international level. Under the tutelage of senior Danish journalists and local experts, 12 trainees graduated in February 2012 to rapturous acclaim across the country and beyond.

GPU train journalists on the fundamentals of Agric reporting

The Gambia Press Union in its’ drive to build the capacity of journalists on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 teamed up with the Network of Agricultural Communicators to train 20 participants on the fundamentals of agricultural reporting. The ten training day training is expected to equip participants with the required knowledge of what good agricultural journalism can do for the farmer. It will also expose journalists to the effective ways of gathering information from farmers and experts and creating an angle for a story as well focusing their stories on the needs of the farmers. The training which brings together agricultural journalists and communicators from the print and electronic media will also guide participants to have an idea on how to produce a program for the radio Gibiaru Janneh, the Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union implored on participants to take advantage of the trainers expertise during the ten day period describing the training as a possible catalyst to agriculture in The Gambia. He said: “The Gambia Press Union is determined to train Gambian journalists in order to improve the standard of journalism and will not relent unless the union seizes to exist.” Speaking on behalf of the trainers, Per Henrick Hansen, a graduate of The Danish School of Journalism who has worked as a reporter at daily newspapers, at a magazine for organic farmers urged the participants to participate fully citing how important the training can be agriculture in The Gambia. He stated that for the training to be effective, participants must be open and come up with issues during the ten day gathering. “Myself and my co-trainer Finn have no idea on agriculture here in The Gambia so for his training to be successful, you must give it your best shot by participating asking question in case you need clarification, Per Said”Background info about the trainersPer Henrik Hansen (born 1955) graduated from The Danish School of Journalism in 1986. Since then he has worked as a reporter at daily newspapers, at a magazine for organic farmers and as a communication professional in the association Organic Denmark. And several times he has been a guest teacher at The Danish School of Journalism. Since 2003 Per Henrik has worked as a freelance journalist and communicator, working in the fields of food and agriculture. He is member of the board and international secretary in Danish Food and Agricultural Journalist (DFAJ).Finn Asnaes (born 1945) graduated as an engineer 1969 and holds diplomas in organization and psychology (from Copenhagen Business School) as well as in teaching for adults. Since 1990 he has run his own communication company where he has edited and dealt with the full responsibility of Business-to-Business magazines. Besides of that Finn has developed and courses about strategy, communication and personal development for private companies and organizations. Before 1990 he worked as an education consultant, editor and teacher at a business school, director and more.Beneficiaries ProfileThe Network of Agricultural Communicators-NACBackground: NAC is a non-profit, non-political and non-religious network that shall serve agricultural editors, writers, photographers and communicators by ensuring an open exchange of ideas and fostering professional excellence both in The Gambia and internationally with the view to uplifting the standard of farming and farmers.Purpose and operation: The Network if Agricultural Communicators’ main purpose is to represent and promote the journalistic interest of its members. This includes exchange of knowledge within our members and the need to know the agricultural terrain not only in The Gambia but internationally as well increasing the membership of NAC. The network’s also has an aim to help increase the level of journalism among its members for the benefit of the farmer folk in The Gambia.

Senegal to ‘decriminalise’ all press offences

Promising that media houses in Senegal will no longer pay taxes, and will receive a US$1 million subvention annuallyTHE POINT NEWSPAPER:If the words of Senegalese President Macky Sall are anything to go by, decriminalization of press offences will soon be a reality in Senegal. President Sall, made these assurance on Friday at the closing ceremony of the fifth African Media Leaders Forum (AMLF) held in Dakar from the 9th – 10th November 2012. Sall said, “Senegal is matured enough to vote for this legislation.” “I am for decriminalization of press offences, but must face the fact that the stakeholders will meet to define the process,” Sall, who moderated the final panel of the forum, said in response to a question by Mo Ibrahim, President of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, as to what the conditions are. Senegal currently has 15 daily newspapers, six weeklies, 12 TV stations and 200 FM radios. According to the Senegalese leader, he was convinced by his former adviser and current Minister of Good Governance, Abdoulatif Coulibaly. The National Assembly, Sall stated, will soon meet to enact the law for journalists in Senegal whom, he added, will no longer be imprisoned in connection with their professional work. The Senegalese leader felt it is also necessary under the law to “define and ensure that there are enough safeguards to prevent abuse.” “The boundary between what might be called press offences and national security could well be treated as a civil matter. When press offenses are decriminalized, it means that there are solutions other than criminal litigation,” he told the gathering. He assured his audience that measures will be taken by the profession itself to maintain the rules of ethics and conduct in the profession, which he said contained “good and not so good” elements. Macky Sall is of the opinion that “we can agree on another procedure which allows us not to go to court,” in particular through the application of labour legislation. He commended the Senegalese media for doing a good job in promoting democracy and good governance, thanked them for doing a good job and for flying the Senegalese flag high because according to him, the Senegalese people are concerned about listening to their own radio stations rather than to foreign news outlets. He also commended the Senegalese media for reviewing the newspapers in the local languages, noting that the majority of the people in Senegal are not literate. Addressing over 400 media owners at the gathering, Presidential Sall announced that “media houses in Senegal will no longer pay taxes, and will receive a US$1 million subvention annually. Noting that this could increase when things are more organised, President Sall said the media houses with more readership will benefit more from the subvention. He also announced that only those who are professionals, and not politicians, will benefit from the subvention. Asked about his African peers, who cling on to power, Macky Sall supported the idea of a two-term limit, stressing: “that concept is obsolete. It had its time, and we will do something else because there is still life after the presidency.” Macky Sall also believes that the mechanism of peer review, established by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), is far from playing its role, and he emphasized the need for others to act as monitors of democracy. “It is up to the people of each country to fight for their freedom,” he said, a struggle in which he acknowledged that the Senegalese press has played a leading role. As regards the security of the state, President Sall gave the sensitive issue of the Casamance rebellion as an example in which he said the media should exercise restraint. He spoke about situations where, the President believes, newspapers can influence the development of conflicts. “The level of democracy in Senegal can allow us decriminalize press offences and allow the journalist to do his investigations because it is his role in society,” he remarked. Further asked whether he will talk to his colleagues who oppress the media in their countries to do like him, President Mack Sall declared: “I cannot give them lectures; every president has his own way to lead his country.”

Senegal police summon ex-leader's son over graft claims

DAKAR — The son of Senegal's ex-president Abdoulaye Wade has been summoned by paramilitary police investigating graft allegations against him while a minister, an official said Thursday. "Karim Wade has been summoned to appear in front of the paramilitary police investigative section on Thursday, November 15," Alioune Ndao, special attorney for the Court of Suppression of Illegal Enrichment, told journalists. The younger Wade was already questioned twice in July in connection with the investigation launched after President Macky Sall won a March poll marred by violence over the 86-year-old Wade's bid to seek a third term in office. Karim Wade, 44, was a divisive figure who many in Senegal saw as being groomed to succeed his father. He was often criticised for alleged mismanagement of public finances and was nicknamed "super minister", or "the minister of the earth and the sky" after the elder Wade placed him in charge of international cooperation, air transport, infrastructure and energy. He was also appointed head of the national arm of what is now the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation and tasked with major public works ahead of the group's summit in Dakar in 2008. Case files concerning six other former leaders in Wade's administration, including four ex-ministers, have also been handed over to the paramilitary police, said Ndoye. "This list is far from exhaustive. In the coming days other people could be added. We have received information of acts of corrupt practices with public funds. We are investigating." The special illegal enrichment court was created in 1981 by then-president Abdou Diouf but was dormant for years until Sall reactivated it.

Gambia Press Union boycotts a forum meant to discuss way forward for the media

Members say nothing warrants such a decision Gambia News Online has reported that the leadership of the Gambia Press Union (GPU) has decided to boycott stakeholders’ forum in which it’s invited as a “main stakeholder” to discuss the preliminary report that gives an overview of the findings on the situation of the journalists and media in The Gambia. The meeting on 1st November at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau was part of the “Journalists and Media” component of the European Union Delegation and Gambian Government joint Governance Programme. The meeting according to Gambia News Online was for the stakeholders to discuss the preliminary report, prepared by a team of consultants from Article 19 during a mission conducted in The Gambia in October 2012, and commissioned by the European Union Delegation in The Gambia.Thought the report indicated the achievements, strengths and the shortcomings of the GPU, the leadership of the Union said the report is biased. According to Gambia News Online, The president, Emil Touray, secretary general Gibairu Janneh, and executive director Ahmed Alota are the ones invited to represent the GPU at the forum but none of them showed up neither do they delegate somebody else. In a telephone conversation with the president the online paper, Emil Touray, said: “We just decided to boycott because we are not happy with the report.” “We are dissatisfied with the content of the report and we thought the appropriate thing is to boycott forum as a way of expressing our disaffection,” he added.

However, the forum went as planned, the organizers said. Apart from the boycott, the GPU president said they are going to write a protest letter against the report. Demba Kandeh, deputy editor-in-chief of Today Newspaper and a member of the GPU, said the action of the Union’s leadership is “unjustifiable”. “The GPU should have by all means endeavour to be at the forum even if it is a matter of live and death. Under no circumstance can the GPU justify their absence at the forum,” Mr Kandeh noted. In fact it is a shame that the GPU could not even honour an invitation to a forum to discuss media issues no matter how hard the challenges might be, Kandeh said. For the president of the Young Journalists Association of the Gambia (YJAG), Mr Modou S Joof, boycotting of such event by the Union is a non-starter. He said the Union cannot justify this action. He noted that the report is just a preliminary report and the forum was meant to discuss and get comments from the different stakeholders to be included in the final report. “This could have a chilling effect on efforts to pave the way forward for Gambia’s embattled media. The GPU is a major stakeholder and should have taken this fact into consideration,” he said. “So the forum should have given the GPU leadership the chance to argue their case and make their stance known for appropriate adjustments, where necessary.”Below is an excerpt of preliminary report that talked about the GPU reproduced verbatim by Gambia News Online The Gambia Press Union So far the GPU seems to be the most recognized body representing the interest of the journalists and media in The Gambia. According to chapter 2 of its Constitution, the GPU’s main objectives are: To promote and safeguard the corporate objectives, mission and vision of The Gambia Press Union; To promote and safeguard the rights, interests and welfare of members; To promote and defend the right of freedom of expression which shall include freedom of the media and professional independence in journalism; To promote and protect the right to freedom of information; To encourage the media in The Gambia to make available to the people diversity of views and opinions; To continuously improve the professional standards of the media and media practitioners as well as the ethics of the profession in The Gambia through facilitating training among others; To strive for all state owned media to accord fair opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinions as required by Section 208 of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia; To facilitate communication among members in order to generate better understanding in the media community; To promote cooperation with affiliate bodies and other media organisations and journalists associations around the world; To engage in social activities to raise the interest and enthusiasm of members in their work; and provide social, financial, legal and moral support to members; The GPU is surely to be credited with some major achievements, the first of which being its ability to “survive” in a particularly hostile environment and to bring together a good number of media professionals under one roof. The GPU has also managed to appear as the only interlocutor and partner of many international organisations and initiatives, supporting the Gambian media. Among its achievement is also the organisation of a great number of training workshops, which it offers to its members. These training activities could soon be formalised and boosted, thanks to a substantial financial support by the Gambia Media Support (Games), a Danish international Non Governmental Organisation. Despite these remarkable achievements, the mere observation of the state of the media in the Gambia (poor or little editorial content, no access to government information, private radio stations not broadcasting local news, poor application of professional and ethical codes, poorly paid journalists, harsh working conditions for reporters, etc.) put against the afore mentioned generous “objectives” clearly show that there’s a lot to be done, and that other actors need to be involved, to produce the profound changes needed in the Gambian media sector. Another weakness of the organisation lies in its inability to properly engage government and bring it to the negotiation table or to hold managers of media houses and publishers accountable when it comes to the working conditions of the journalists. Furthermore the GPU is currently facing criticism from a wide section of the media fraternity on two critical issues it needs to address to keep its historical legitimacy and long term existence: i) it is accused by some media houses of getting involved in “too many” areas which are not in the traditional role of a trade union while neglecting part of its initial mandate and ii) the GPU is using money granted by partners to support the Gambian media professionals to train “new recruits” fresh from schools who cannot be considered as “members of the Union” or of the media corps, to benefit from its funds.

‘Scattred Janneh lacks the moral right to cast venom on gov’t’

“Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh does not have the moral right to cast any venom on the government of The Gambia and President Jammeh, considering the issues surrounding him [Janneh] including his intention to set The Gambia on fire,” Honourable Seedy S.K Njie was told the Daily Observer Newspaper. It would be recalled that Dr. Amadou Scattred Janneh, ex-Information and Communication Technology minister, was recently pardoned alongside the ex-Immigration director general, Tamsir Jassey, by President Jammeh after spending months behind bars following their conviction and life sentence for treason-related charges. Following their pardon the duo left for the United States immediately. According to the Observer report Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh has since embarked on a smear campaign against the government of The Gambia. Hon. Njie however disliked Dr Janneh’s recent comments and allegations he made against the Gambia government during an interview he [Janneh] had with RFM, a Senegalese-based radio station, and some local newspapers in that country. Hon Njie told Observer that “Gambians would recall that when Janneh was the secretary of State for Information and Communication Technology, some of the reasons put forward as to why he was removed from that position was that he was loyal to some foreign nations against The Gambia Despite all these, Janneh was doomed, as his intention couldn’t materialise. “Further to that he continued his drive to dislodge the democratically elected government of President Jammeh through illegal and unconstitutional means; and for that he was charged for conspiracy to commit treason, treason acts and seditious acts under Section 35 (1) (A) and (G) and Section 52 (1) (A) and (C), respectively of the Criminal Code, Cap 10 Volume 3 of the Revised Laws of The Gambia 2009. He [Janneh] was tried at a competent jurisdiction court of law with all the evidences and facts and was accordingly convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.” Njie noted that Janneh was pardoned under Section 82 of the 1997 constitution unconditionally and purely on humanitarian grounds, after a persistent plea by President Jammeh’s personal friend, Reverend Jesse Jackson. “For this, to whom much is given, much is expected. Janneh should have been appreciative of this divine gesture instead of baseless irresponsible and unfounded comments, allegations and accusations against the government and people of The Gambia,” he stressed. The nominated NAM further rubbished Janneh’s comments on the prison conditions in The Gambia. “Everybody is a living testimony that there is a clinic at the Mile Two Central Prison and that all inmates are accorded the opportunity and escort to health facilities, particularly the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital should they complain of any health problems that need attention.” “It is to be noted with pride that President Jammeh builds and continue to build and strengthen democratic and good governance institutions, such as his government’s issuing of licence to over 20 private and community radio stations all over the country and the proliferation of numerous private newspapers. These have been provided thanks to President Jammeh’s ardent desire and belief in the independence of the press, responsible journalism and the freedom of the press.”

Govt. frown against economic sabotage

The point newspaper has reported that The Office of the President has warned against what it called the creation of an artificial shortage of foreign exchange, especially the US Dollar, by “speculators and unscrupulous businesses.” The press release stated that the Office of the President reserves the right to close any business, Bureau de Change, Bank or any company that is bent on sabotaging the economy of The Gambia without any further notice. Describing the trend as unacceptable and unjustifiable, the government also warned that very drastic action will be taken against any individual, or corporate body found culpable of the hoarding of and speculating in foreign exchange. Below we reproduce the full text of the press release:It has come to the notice of the Office of the President that speculators and some unscrupulous businesses are creating an artificial shortage of foreign exchange, especially of the United States Dollar, thereby causing its unprecedented appreciation against the Gambian dalasi with the sole intention of hiking the prices of basic commodities and causing hardship to the people of The Gambia.The Office of the President wishes to inform the general public, particularly those involved in the foreign exchange business, that this criminal trend is unacceptable and unjustifiable as the international market value of all foreign currencies is open and no secret.Those involved in foreign exchange transactions including the Bureau de Change or Foreign Exchange Bureaus, Banks and Mobile Telephone Operators, are hereby warned that very drastic action will be taken against any individual, or body corporate found culpable of hoarding of and speculating in foreign exchange.This office reserves the right to close any business, Bureau de Change, Bank or any company that is bent on sabotaging the economy of The Gambia without any further notice.Anybody found with foreign currency like CFA and is not registered to deal in such will face the full force of the law in addition to forfeiting such to the state.As a first step to curb this nefarious activity or criminal enterprise, a moratorium has been imposed with immediate effect on all shipping of the US Dollar out of the country with possible exemption for essential importation, which must obtain prior clearance from the Office of the President.In the same vein, a team of enforcement agents have been directed to investigate, monitor all Foreign Exchange Bureaus and unregistered agents, as well as any other institution, and are authorized to confiscate any US Dollar currency going out of the country without prior approval.They have the full authority to investigate, seize as well as prosecute those found to be hoarding any foreign currency, especially the US Dollar. All the Commercial Banks have facilities for the opening of foreign currency accounts and, therefore, there will be no excuse for any institution, individual or group found with large cash amounts of any foreign exchange, especially the UD Dollars, Euros, Pound Sterling or the CFA Francs.These measures will be in place until such a time that the US Dollar returns to its true value of D28.00 per US Dollar.The Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of the Gambia, the Gambia Revenue Authority, and the team of enforcement agents are hereby warned to apply these measures to the letter as this Office would not allow greedy, unpatriotic and heartless people to hold the populace to ransom.Anyone found violating these directives or not playing by the rules of honest trading practices will be prosecuted under the economic crimes law in addition to being banned from doing any business in The Gambia.Operation No Compromise on foreign currency hoarding and speculation is hereby launched with immediate effect.

Supreme Court dismiss Lang Tombong and Co appeal

An appeal filed by the jailed former Chief of Defence Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces, Lt General Lang Tombong Tamba, and six others have been dismissed by The Supreme Court of The Gambia. Reading the Supreme Court’s judgment on behalf of the five-member panel of judges, Supreme Court Justice Raymond C. Sock stated that this was an appeal against the judgment of the Gambia Court of Appeal, delivered on 4 April 2011, which upheld the trial judge’s conviction of the appellants of the offences of treason and conspiracy to commit treason. Justice Sock said the facts leading to the appeal were sufficiently summarized in the statements of case of the appellants and the respondent, filed on 18 June 2012 and 16 July 2012 respectively. Delivering his judgment on behalf of the panel, Justice Sock examined the issues raised, arguments of counsel, the evidence and the applicable law. “In the light of the above consideration of the issues raised, the arguments of the counsel on both sides, the evidence and the applicable law, the appellants’ appeal failed and is hereby dismissed”. It would be recalled that the appellants the other appellants Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, former director of operations and training at GAF, Col. Lamin Bo Badjie, former chief of the NIA, Modou Gaye, former deputy IGP, Gibril Ngorr Secka, former deputy Gambian ambassador to Guinea Bissau, Lt. Col. Kawsu Camara alias Bombardier former commander of Kanilai Camp and Abdoulie Joof a businessman were sentenced to death by the High Court in Banjul on treason charges on 15 July 2010. The indictment stated that the accused persons between January and December 2009 procured arms, ammunition, equipment and mercenaries from Guinea Conakry and other places to stage a coup and overthrow the democratically-elected government of The Gambia.

Africans must rise up to develop her continent

By Sulayman Ceesay & Modou S. Joof For Africa to advance beyond its current economic and social malaise, she must follow the Singapore model by establishing a rigorous and aggressive programme of developing disciplined leaders of disciplined thought who will guide disciplined and strategic action towards a morally and socially responsible Africa. These are the words of a course instructor, Mr. Philip Igbinijesu, Institute for National (INT) Transformation West Africa Regional Director, who was speaking at a recent leadership colloquium organised at a local hotel in Kololi, Gambia. “While our friends around the globe support, assist and encourage us, in the final analysis, Africans must rise up and develop her continent,” said Mr. Igbinijesu, citing formerly third world countries like Singapore as example. He went on, “Singapore have transformed her economy through strict practice and adherence to integrity leadership and quality management principles.” For his part Mr. Bayo James, who facilitated the leadership seminar in Gambia, said the increasing complexity of issues being addressed by contemporary African leaders is putting extraordinary demands on government officials, academic and business professionals as they struggle to deal with cross-cutting issues at the local, national, and regional levels. Such demands as he puts it, relate to policy formulations, legislation, regulation and monitoring, justice, natural resource management, transportation, provision of urban and social services, environmental protection, sustainable agriculture and sustainable tourism which leads to sustainable economic growth. More than sixty people participated in the seminar drawn from almost all spheres of society.

Two journalists arrested over ‘protest permit’The Point Newspaper has reported that two journalists Baboucarr Ceesay and Abubacarr Saidykhan have been arrested, and detained, for allegedly seeking a permit from the police to hold a peaceful demonstration over the recent execution of nine death row inmates. Baboucarr Ceesay, first vice president of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), also working with The Daily News newspaper, and Abubacarr Saidykhan, a freelance journalist, were arrested on Friday. According to informed sources, they were arrested after “seeking from the Inspector General of Police, a permit to hold a peaceful demonstration from Arch 22 to State House in Banjul.” In a press release issued on Sunday, the GPU confirmed the arrest of the two journalists. The Union said its personnel visited police headquarters in Banjul on Friday afternoon, but were denied access to the detained journalists. “And the police declined to inform the GPU officials why the two journalists are being held at the police headquarters,” the Union said. According to the Union, the families of the two journalists informed the GPU that the police escorted the duo to their respective homes on Friday morning, and searched their houses. Author: Baboucarr Senghore

"Dear children, never go to Africa and play!"

Olga Bubich has never believed this preaching and this is how she found herself in the Gambia – the smallest and one of the poorest countries of the “black continent”. Olga combines teaching the English language at the Belarussian State University and photography.

She visited The Gambia (and Africa) for the first time courtesy of GAMES (Gambia Media Support), a Danish NGO working in partnership with the Gambia Press Union. Her mission was to work with the journalism co-trainers in this country, teaching English proficiency. Satisfying “34mag”’s request, she shared her impressions and photos.Read morehere.

The Gambia executes 9 death row inmates

Interior minister promised all sentence will be carried out to the later including the death penaltyFamilies members, friends, love ones and sympathisers are mourning the death nine death row members when The Ministry of the Interior has confirmed that nine death row inmates have been executed on Sunday August 26th, 2012. All nine have been convicted and pronouncements of death sentences by the Gambian courts. A media release issued by the Ministry of the Interior stated that the nine death row inmates namely; Dawda Bojang, Malang Sonko, Ex-Lieutenant Lamin Jarjou, Ex-Sgt. alias Ex Lt. Alieu Bah, Ex Sgt. Lamin F Jammeh, Tabara Samba, Buya Yarbo, Lamin BS Darboe and Gebe Bah were executed by firing squad. The release states that, “following the convictions and pronouncements of death sentences by the Gambian Courts of competent jurisdiction and further to the exhaustion of their appeals, the Ministry of Interior wishes to inform the general public that the following convicts were executed by firing squad on Sunday 26th August, 2012.” The release further states that, “the general public is warned that the rule of law as regards the peace and stability and the protection of lives, property and liberty will not be compromised for whatever reason. That all acts of violence, criminal activities and indiscipline resulting to murder, treason, arson, trafficking in drugs and humans and the likes of such offences attracting death sentences shall not be tolerated. Therefore, all sentences as prescribed by law will be carried out to the letter including the death penalty.” “The general public is further called to respect the fundamental human right of all citizens and residents in the republic of The Gambia. The Republic of the Gambia is a sovereign state which, like other sovereign states currently implementing the death penalty, has the right to implement its domestic laws as stipulated in her constitution,” the release concludes. Whilst many are mourning the deaths of the nine and expecting that more are awaiting death penalty, reactions are coming from far and near.

Execution attracted numerous reactions from the worldEU’s view BRUSSELS, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The European Union has threatened "an appropriate response" against Gambia in the wake of reports of executions carried out by the country's government. EU High Representative Catherine Ashton issued a statement Sunday demanding a halt to the alleged execution of prisoners as reported by human rights group Amnesty International. "By the middle of next month, all the death sentences would have been carried out to the letter; there is no way my government will allow 99 percent of the population to be held to ransom by criminals," Jammeh said in an speech. There were 45 men and two women on death row in Gambia, including three men sentenced this year, Amnesty International said. Under Gambian law, murder and treason are the only capital crimes. "I strongly condemn the executions which have reportedly taken place following President Jammeh's stated intention to carry out all death penalties before mid-September," Ashton's statement said. "I demand the immediate halt of the executions." Gambia is to receive $97.5 million in EU aid under a five-year grant ending in 2013. "In light of these executions, the European Union will urgently consider an appropriate response," Ashton's statement said.

Britains view Commenting on reports that Gambia has executed nine prisoners on death row, Britain’s Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt has urged "The Gambian authorities to halt any further executions."

"The UK Government opposes all use of the death penalty as a matter of principle," Mr. Burt said, noting that The Gambia has not carried out any executions since 1981.

“I am deeply concerned over reports that nine prisoners on death row in The Gambia have been executed following comments by President Jammeh that all death row prisoners would now be executed," he said. Government has therefore been urged to halt any further executions.

Senegal’s view (Reuters) reported that Senegalese President Macky Sall joined international appeals for neighboring Gambia to halt a series of planned executions of death row prisoners, confirming on Tuesday that two of nine who have already faced the firing squad were Senegalese. The executions, more of which are planned in coming weeks, have the potential to upset delicate ties between the two poor West African neighbors just as Sall wants Gambian cooperation to end the separatist conflict in Senegal's Casamance region. Gambian President Yahya Jammeh vowed this month to execute all of 40-plus death row inmates by mid-September "to ensure that criminals get what they deserve", drawing condemnation from the African Union, the European Union, Britain and rights groups. "Macky Sall calls for an urgent stay of execution for all the cases," a statement issued by his office said after Gambia on Monday confirmed it had executed six civilians and three members of the army for a variety of crimes which it said all involved murder. Sall said two of those executed were Senegalese and that a third national was still facing the firing squad.

German Human Rights Commissioner’s view Markus Löning, the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy also added their voice on reports about executions in The Gambia, saying he “fears the worst for the prisoners remaining on death row”.

“I am appalled at reports that nine people were executed in the Gambia at the weekend. Immediately after the President’s announcement that all prisoners sentenced to death would be executed, I intervened vis‑à‑vis the Embassy of the Gambia. I requested that no executions be carried out and made clear that Germany is strongly opposed to the death penalty.”Commonwealth’s view Commonwealth Spokesperson and Director of Communications and Public Affairs Richard Uku also expressed serious concern at the recent execution of nine death row prisoners in The Gambia.

Since the first media reports of the executions, the Commonwealth Secretariat had sought verification of the facts from The Gambian Government. The confirmation by the Government on Monday 27 August that these executions were indeed carried out makes this a matter of grave concern.

Renounce further executions Speaking on behalf of Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, Mr Uku said the Commonwealth called on the Government of The Gambia to renounce plans for any further executions.

"The Secretary-General wishes to emphasise to the Government of The Gambia that all members of the Commonwealth have subscribed to Commonwealth values, which reflect the highest international standards of the rule of law," the Spokesperson said.

WASSCE results released

Only 394 candidates got five credits including English and mathematicsThe West African Examinations Council has issued a press released announcing the release of the results of the May/June 2012 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). The release states that a total 394(three hundred and ninety four) candidates got five credits including English and mathematics amounting to 5.02% compared to the previous year’s figure of 351 (4.45%).

The release explained that a total of 7847 (seven thousand eight hundred and forty-seven) candidates from 66 (sixty-six) Senior Secondary Schools registered for the examination and out of the 7847 candidates that registered for the examination, 4226 (53.85%) were male while 3621 (46.15%) were female. “In the 2012 May/June WASSCE, Gambian Candidates registered in 32 subjects. These included English Language, Mathematics and a host of Science, Arts, Commerce, and Technical Subjects. Out of the 32 subjects, the performance of candidates improved in 26 subjects when compared to performance in the previous year. However, performance regressed this year in six (6) subjects which included Economics, Literature-in-English and Further Mathematics,” the release stated. On gender basis, the release went on indicates that male candidates did better than their female counterparts in 26 out of the 31 subjects registered by both genders. On the other hand, it added that female candidates did better than their male counterparts in 5 subjects such as auto-mechanics, Christian Religious Knowledge, Applied Electricity, French and Technical Drawing.

NTA threaten to revoke license If Training schools in the gambia continues to employ unlicensed trainersFollowing a stern warning by the ministry of higher education, research, science and technology for the National Training Authority to regularise local colleges and training schools, The deputy director general of the NTA, Edrisa Kolley has warned local colleges and training schools in The Gambia that any institution found employing trainers that are not licensed and registered by NTA would have their licences “revoked.” The NTA’s second in command emphatically stated that trainers that are not licensed by the National Training Authority (NTA) are not qualified to teach in any training school in The Gambia until they are fully registered and licensed by the Authority. “It is unacceptable and any school found in that system will have its licence revoked because a teacher must have NTA licence before he or she can teach in any training school,” Kolley emphasized. He also warned institutions that providing NTA with false information will as well lead to their licences revoked and dealt with according to the law. He said that there is a monitoring team that goes round to make sure there is no foul practice. Kolley also noted that all registered and licensed training schools have met the requirement but that they are still billed for further inspection and routine monitoring. “The fact that they are registered does not mean they are free and should take some other things for granted which is one reason for the monitoring,” he stated. The NTA deputy director general explained there are criteria that a school and the recruited trainers have to meet before they are registered and licensed or have their licence renewed. As a qualified training institute, he went on, failure to meet any of the laid down criteria will jeopardise their registration, licence or renewal. Kolley further pointed out that all that the NTA is doing is to promote affordable, quality, standard, qualified and skillful people that not only be employed in the country, but will also match up with international employment market. He enjoined all training schools and trainers that are due for renewal to come forward and do so before it is too late, warning that the NTA will not compromise with any expired licence.

'I did not write AFPRC statement in July 1994' - Swaebou Conateh says

By Sanna Camara

GambiaBEAT.weebly.com: Veteran journalist Swaebou Conateh has refuted as ‘misconceptions’ that he wrote the statement for the AFPRC military junta back in July 1994, when they toppled the 30-year PPP government in The Gambia.

In an exclusive interview recently, Mr Conateh argued that the said statement was “dictated” to him for writing and he complied. The 70-year-old veteran journalist explained that he was approached by three military officers, led by one Major Cham at his house the day after the military take-over, along with one captain Kanteh.

“I didn’t write it directly. I wrote it as dictation pronounced by Cham. I was not coerced; they were not forcing me to do anything. They were more or less seeking help. They were looking for somebody qualified in the field to make their idea of take-over known to The Gambian people and to the world. And I wrote it down sentence by sentence as a dictation. You don’t argue with soldiers with guns on that basis,” Mr Conateh said.

He categorically denied writing it, emphasizing that what he wrote is a statement dictated by Major Cham: “They wanted me to help out… and in the encounter, they wanted me to go because the government needed my service. They said the information going out to the world press was that this is not a coup d’etat but a mutiny by a few disgruntled officers. They wanted this [misinformation] to be clear to the world that this was not the case but a real take-over of government. And they wanted the world press to know that.

“I told them what they should do is to open the telephone lines for overseas communication… because when you close those lines, the journalists will not be in a position to do their work and send out whatever stories are taking place in this country. So they opened the lines for the stories to go out naturally.

He added that this advice was taken. “They said since I was a journalist, they will give me their statement on the reason for the coup d’etat. And I brought out my notebook. Cham dictated to me what was the reason for their take-over. I wrote it down word by word, and when I finished writing, they said ‘you yourself can become Information Minister’... I told him that I was not surprised that he was named Information Minster even though it was short time appointment. I think it was two days. So that is how the myth grew that I wrote the coup statement.

Mr Conateh said those were “the words of Cham, not Swaebou Conateh’s words”. He said he did the writing in the sense that he would have it for use as a journalist. But when he finished writing it, they decided to take the statement with them.

GPU President-Journalists must know before they report accurately

The president of the Gambia Press Union, Emil Touray, has said that journalists must know their areas very well to report effectively and efficiently for their media houses. Touray made these remarks while addressing journalists in a three day court reporting training organized by the institution he is heading. The GPU head underscored the significance of the training, which he said will build the capacity of media practitioners in The Gambia. He also stated that such training is important because court reporting is sacrosanct. “it is in this light that GPU deems it necessary to partner with the Judiciary to build the capacity of journalists on the law and court reporting. “The Gambia Press Union believes that in order for journalists to execute their duties, they must have knowledge of the specific issues they need to talk about.” He pointed out that his union intends to do as many short courses as possible for journalists for different people in different fields of journalism. He stated that the training is not only about contempt, but goes beyond dealing with all aspects of the law that affect journalists. He further told the gathering that this will not be the only training session, as more court reporters are yet to benefit from the training.

'Report with the right mindset' - Agim tells journalists

As GPU trains journalists on essential court reporting The Chief Justice of The Gambia, Justice Emmanuel Akimoye Agim, has called on Gambian journalists to always report issues, especially those dealing with court cases, with the right mindset, stressing that journalists should not be biased in reporting court proceedings. Chief Justice Agim, made his remarks at the opening of a three-day training for journalists on the fundamentals of court reporting, organized by the Gambia Press Union(GPU). Justice Agim opined that the actions or inactions of journalists can impact on the lives of people. The training, which brought together journalists from the print and electronic media, came in the wake of the arrest and remand custody of three journalists within a month for contempt of court. “You must give an unbiased report of court proceedings,” Agim told journalists. According to the Chief Justice, in the field of journalism, one blunder can create a lot of common impacts; thus he called on journalists to be very careful in the way and manner they report. He told journalists that their role as journalists is a sacred duty to contribute to nation-building. “Journalists are the vanguard and watchdog of society,” he said, adding that how journalists perform this role can help or destroy society. The Chief Justice stated that some journalists regard themselves as opposition supporters, and called on the Gambia Press Union to discharge their responsibilities and make sure the media remains neutral. He called on the union to reassess its role as media practitioners and the role of journalists in nation-building, noting that by the nature of their job, journalists contribute in deciding the destiny of society. The Chief Justice went further to commend the union for its foresight in organizing such training for its members, noting that it will further help journalists to understand how to cover court proceedings.

14% of Gambian Sex Workers are HIV Positive

Commonness of HIV among Gambian adult population is 0.06%

By Haddija Jawara

A study done by the Medical Research Council shows that the HIV frequency rate among sex workers is 14% and among the adult population of the Gambia is 0.06%.

According Nuha Ceesay UNAIDS Country Director Sex Workers have the highest risk of contracting HIV/AIDS because of the high rate of infection among themSex workers have multiple sex partners

“There are many reasons attributed to this but the primary reason is they are selling sex for a living and because of that they have a multiple sexual partners” Mr Ceesay states.

Sex workers have sexual encounters with many people over a long period of time, and this includes on a daily bases they have sex with quite a number of partners.

Some Clients don’t want to use condoms

Another reason why they are at risk is that sometime they meet partners that are not willing to use condoms for protection.

Nuha says that this forces them to take risks even though they may know that HIV can be transmitted by sexual encounters.

“Some of them may have wounds which are not treated which they don’t know about and these also aggravate the risk of having HIV” he states.

He also went on to note that some sex workers even work without a condom which makes the situation more complicated.

HIV prevention programmes levels frequency rate

Sex workers have a large number of sexual partners; protecting them from HIV infection benefits them and has a large preventive benefit for the general public.

Mr Ceesay states that HIV prevention programmes with sex workers are highly cost effective and evidence has shown that they keep HIV levels low among sex workers and slow the spread of the epidemic.

“When sex workers take part in these programmes it helps reduce structural barriers including policies, legislation and customary practices that prevent access and the utilization to appropriate HIV prevention, treatment and care services,” he noted.

Nuha also states that the programmes also provide access to HIV counseling and testing and AIDS care, including antiretroviral treatment and prevention services.

The most important thing about the programmes he is that said helps assist the women to leave sex work and provides a range of legal, economic and social services for those in sex work. CONTINUE READING

I am into sex work not by choice

My husband divorced me and abandoned me with my four children

By Isatou Bittaye

“I joined the trade of sex work not because I like it but I don’t have anybody to support me and my family,’’ says Marie Secka, a sex worker.

Marie who is about 35 years old states that she joined sex work three years ago because there is no other option for her even though she has been to school up to junior level and dropped out. “I have to eat and drink. If you wake up and you have no food to eat or water to drink, you have to do something and that is why I joined sex work.

I know the trade is not good and I don’t like it myself but what can I do because I have to feed my family,” she explains.

My husband divorced me and abandoned my children

“I am just suffering that is why I joined the trade of sex work. I was married but my husband divorced me and he abandoned me with my four children.

He does not take care of the children since we got divorce and my three daughters and boy rely on me for their sole support,” says the middle age woman.

If I have husband I will leave this trade. If I have a man who will support me with my children I will leave this trade, it’s not the best for me but what can I do now.

Am aware of the deadly disease-HIV/AIDs but I protect myself

“There are many deadly diseases that one can get through sex work which I am aware of but I protect myself from it.

I make sure that every customer that I have sex with use condom and every month I go for medical checkup at Medical Research Council (MRC) because they usually supply us with condom.

I satisfy my customers but don’t compromise with the condom

“I make sure that my customers are not annoyed. If a customer comes to me I make sure that he is happy but I don’t compromise with the condom.

Even if you are going to pay me one million dalasis, I make sure that you use condom because if you give me that money and you transfer HIV to me then the money will not be useful to me,” she states.

Marie says that no matter how much a customer pays her, when they go inside she first give him the condom.

“I also don’t allow my customers to violate my body. If I am having sex with customers, they have to take it easy and know that I am a human being.

For the fact that one pay me does not mean that she should be jumping up and down on me like I am a donkey but have to take it easy on me,” says Marie .

My family is not aware that am doing sex work

“My people don’t know I am doing sex work because my children are in Senegal and I am not with my parents.

The society discriminate and stigmatise sex work because is bad but for me I have no other thing to do that is why I am into it.

I will leave sex work when I have someone to marry me

Marie states that she will stop sex work if she has someone to marry her and take care of her children.

“I am into this trade because of my family but if a man comes today and says he want to marry me and will take care of my children I will stop being a sex worker,” she concludes. CONTINUE READING

Sex workers rate increased to 60% in the past decade

School Girls under 18 years constitute 64% of Gambian women sex workers

By Isatou Bittaye

“The number of independent sex workers has increased in the Gambia in three folds i.e. 60% in the past decade,” says Mr Jeagan Loum, the Coordinator of Support Intervention Programme for Sex Workers in the Gambia.

He says the Greater Banjul area constitutes the greater majority of sex workers compared to the rural areas as they formed 70% of Gambian sex workers.

Mr Loum states that according to a baseline survey his organization carried out in 1996, 25% of sex workers were Gambians and the figure rose to 65% in 2003.

“This is a huge increase and that 1/3 of sex workers are young people between the ages of 14 to 25 years,” he states.

Sex work being a trade that involves indiscriminate sale of sex is not normally done by adults but young girls are also involved in the Gambia.

According to a UNICEF study conducted in 2003, 64% of sample sex workers among Gambian women are school girls below the age of 18 years.

Brothel and street base sex workers

Mr Loum says that the brothel based and street based are the two classes of sex workers in the Gambia, and most of them are street based.

He states that the brothel based sex workers are those who sit permanently at the brothels and customers meet them there to have sex with them in the brothel rooms.

“The street based sex workers usually loiter and hang around the Tourism Development Area and West field junction to meet with customers.

The customers usually take them to the guest houses, hotels or even to their own private houses and have sex with them.

Street based sex workers are much more expensive than the brothel based because they targeting the tourists.

Sex workers negotiate prices with customers and take the money

Usually sex workers have pimps who negotiate prices with customers and collect the money on their behalf but this trend does not exist in the Gambia as sex workers negotiate prices and collect the money for themselves.

Mr Loum says that the customers of sex workers vary as tourists, migrant workers, rich Gambian men and even the common citizens like security people and drivers are all customers of sex workers in the Gambia.

He states that the sex workers use the money gain from the trade to support their families, pay school fees for those who have children, and feed themselves.

“Others use the money to buy sexy clothes and live luxurious life styles,” states Mr Loum.

Sex workers are stigmatized and discriminated

Even though the trade of sex work is lucrative as young girls and women engaged in it earn lot of money for themselves, the social consequences are great as sex workers faced stigma and discrimination in society.

According to Mr Loum, sex workers are highly stigmatized and discriminated at all levels in the household, community and even at institutional level.

He states that they are usually stigmatized at health facilities because sometimes they are denied certain basic health care services by the nurses.

The stigmatization and discrimination he said is mainly due to the nature of sex workers as apart from the sale of sex which is seen as immoral in Gambian society, the life style of sex workers is different.

“Sex workers mostly smoke cigarette and drink alcohol which is not common for a Gambian woman to do and the immorality of the trade makes many people to discriminate and stigmatize them,” says Mr Loum. CONTINUE READING

Behavior of Sex workers at centres; how they relate with clients

By Haddija Jawara

Super bar is a famous night club and brothel in the Gambia which is located in a very highly populated area in Serrekunda called churchill’s town.

It is also has rooms in it where sex workers go on daily basis to meet with customers to engage in commercial sex work.

Our reporter Haddija Jawara visited the place and brought us this report.click below to read

Police PRO explains how NDEA impound cart full of suspected Canabis

Drug traffickers aren’t relenting despite great catches here and there Public Relations Officer of National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA), Superintendent Abdoulie Ceesay, has recently told the press how NDEA officials seized a horse cart loaded with 13 bags of cannabis sativa at the Jakoi-Paima Crossing Point in Foni Berefet District in the West Coast Region. The seizure came just days after a huge chunk of seized illicit drugs were burnt to ash at a public gathering. PRO Abdoulie Ceesay, explains that on the 2nd July 2012, NDEA officers received a tip- off that a certain Senegalese national is planning to transport over 300 kilograms of cannabis from Casamance through The Gambia to the other part of [northern] Senegal. “Upon acting on the information, NDEA officers were dispatched at Jakoi-Paima Crossing Point in Foni Berefet District. While the officers were in the bush for six hours, at around 3am onwards, the said suspect appeared with a horse cart, which was fully loaded with cannabis. The officers attempted to effect an arrest on him which resulted to a push and pull at that dark hour of the night and the suspect managed to escaped and flee into the bush.” The NDEA spokesperson said the suspect was chased by the officers, who combed the bush, but he was nowhere to be found. He said the cart was then impounded and escorted to Sibanor Police Station where it was confirmed that it was carrying 13 bags of cannabis containing 300 bundles which weigh over 300 kilograms. “The drugs are currently at Sibanor Police Station marked as found properties for further action while the case is being investigated pending the arrest of the suspect. “Our objective was to get the trafficker and substance but the trafficker escaped but it is good that the quantity was confiscated,” he added. More drugs discovered and seizedMeanwhile 28-year-old, Ansu Sanyang, a resident of Somita village in Foni, was arrested for being in possession of 12 bundles of cannabis sativa on the July 1st, 2012. The bundles were found on his ceilings at his house in Somita following a raid at his residence by operatives of the Agency. On a similar hunt, the NDEA PRO, said another suspect, Alieu Bah, a 21 year old resident of Brikama Jiddah was arrested on July 2nd, 2012 at about 4am, after the narcotics operatives received a tip-off that he went to Casamance to collect his cannabis consignment. “An ambush was laid at the outskirts of Jiddah village waiting for his arrival. At about 4am, the suspect appeared with his pedal bicycle which was carrying the cannabis,” Ceesay said.Superintendent Abdoulie Ceesay states that the accused persons are charged with drug trafficking contrary to Section 43 E of the Drug Control Act and dealing in prohibited drugs contrary to Section 33A of Drug Control Act. He noted that the offences carry a minimum fine of D1 million or an imprisonment of not less than 10 years.

CDS Kinteh relieves, discharge and deployed to foreign service

Major General Ousman Bargie, assumes responsibilities as Chief of Defence Staff Lt. Gen. Masanneh Kinteh, has been relieved, discharged and deployed to the foreign services, a media release from the office of the president states. Meanwhile, the same release states that Kinteh has been replaced by Major General Ousman Bargie as the chief of defense staff of the gambia armed forces. Masanneh Kinteh did not just lost his job as the CDS but he was also discharged from the gambia armed force with immediate effect. However, he was deployed to the foreign service as a civilian. Read Bargie’s biography?Daily Observer: “Major General Ousman Bargie was born on the 15th November, 1967 in Sibanor , Foni Bintang Karanai of the West Coast Region. He did his primary school education in Sibanor from 1976-1982. He proceeded to Nusrat High School where he sat to the General Certificate Examination (GCE O’Level). “He was enlisted into The Gambia National Army on the 4th of January 1987 and was commissioned to the rank of Second Lieutenant in November 1995. This marked the beginning of his achievements and regular promotions in the army. “He attended several military courses both local and overseas, prominent among these included Cadre courses, Instructional Cadre courses, Tactical Cadre courses, Weapon Training Course, Range Management Course, Infantry Officer course in Pakistan and Junior and Senior Staff courses in Nigeria. “He also attended several civilian courses, workshops and seminars on wide range of issues relevant to his career. There is a popular adage that “Major General Bargie also served in various capacities and held several command and staff appointments. He served almost in all units of GAF, Among them were platoon commander, Company Commander, Commandant Gambia Armed Forces training School (GAFTS), Aid -De- Camp (ADC) to President Jammeh ,Commander State Guards, Commanding Officer Fajara Barracks, Contingent Commander to Darfur, director of Administration and Logistics of GAF, Chief of Army Staff, United Nations Peace Support Operations (PSO) in Sierra-Leone and Camp Commandant of UNAMID Force Headquarters, and a host of other command responsibilities that he has successfully accomplished. “The general is well decorated and among his decoration and awards are Good Conduct, Distinguished Service, long Service, UNAMSIL, UNMIL and UNAMID medals respectively.”

NDEA impounds donkey cart loaded with drugs

Two days after reporting that NDEA burnt to ash tons of illicit drugs seize over the years, Daily Observer reports that A donkey cart loaded with cannabis sativa was impounded by operatives of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA).

The report states that NDEA spokesperson, Superintendent Abdoulie Ceesay said, “the donkey cart was found by operatives of the Agency at a roadside in Sibanor village in Foni, West Coast Region. He said the owner of the cart is still at large, but investigations are on-going to locate him.

Makeshift bridge can bring smiles to Nema Kunku residents

The West Coast Region villagers of Nema Kunku and feeder road users that linked Latrikunda Sabiji-Sukuta will breadth a shy of relief as the youths of Nema Kunku formally inaugurated a makeshift bridge. The bridge is meant to enhance the movement of residents of the area, who had endured difficulties using the stretch in the previous years, especially during the rainy season.

Speaking at the occasion, a resident of the area, Aji Fatou Jaw, highlighted the problems they used to face before the construction of the bridge. She said: “Women in particular suffered a lot each time they pass through the road on their way to go to the market.” She commended the youths for their intervention, which to her would go a long way in making life easy for the residents of Nema Kunku and other road users. Malick Secka, a youth leader in the area said that as good citizens, they took it upon themselves to embark on constructing a makeshift bridge to ease the difficulties people encounter. Speaking earlier, a representative of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), Ansumana Fatty, said the bridge will enhance the movement of people including those from Sukuta who come to Latrikunda market for their daily needs. Fatty commended the youths of the area for taking the bull by the horn, noting; “It every Gambian youth’s responsibility to contribute to national development.” He concluded by thanking the elders of the community for the tremendous support given to the youths.

Three tons of seized drugs burnt to ash

Three tons of illicit drugs that would have destroyed the lives of some Gambians or trafficked out of The Gambia have been burnt to ashes on Tuesday July 4, 2012. The mass public destruction was carried out by officials of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) at the Old Cape Point Road in Bakau. The exercise saw 3 tons burnt to ash. 15kg and 47grams of cannabis sativa; 8kg, 2grams of cocaine and 20 grams of heroin were all destroyed respectively. According to the narcotics officials, the move was part of activities marking the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking. Addressing the gathering at the venue, the director general of the NDEA, Benedict Jammeh, described the drugs burning exercise as a historic moment in the calendar of his institution. "The drug destruction exercise is historic because it shows that the Gambia government and NDEA are serious about their fight against drugs as envisaged by President Jammeh, who vowed for zero-tolerance on drugs and corruption.” The NDEA boss further informed the gathering that when drug cases are successfully dealt with in court, it becomes mandatory on the part of the Agency to show the public the final destiny of these drugs saying, “this is precisely why we have invited the public to the destruction exercise”. He added: “The drugs we are destroying were not found in any foreign country but they were all seized in the country from nationals and foreigners in The Gambia. This means that as a nation, we have an uphill struggle in the fight against drugs.” The NDEA boss also said his institution has registered numerous successes over the past two years. He noted that drug abuse and drug trafficking have over the years become great cause for concern in The Gambia, stressing that this prompted his Agency to wage a persistent campaign from all fronts to curb the menace. His words: “We are optimistic that with the kind help from government, partners, particularly other sister security services and with the diplomatic community in the country, we will eventually win the fight against drugs. I want to call on all to rally behind the NDEA in this noble campaign. “One does not have to be a narcotics officer to report drug cases in the community. Some people suggest serving as witnesses in the court are time-wasting and this is the reason why the Agency is engaged in mass sensitisation forums in the press to draw public support and involvement in the fight against drugs.” Jammeh stressed that allowing young people to peddle drugs and drug cartels to traffic in our neighbourhoods is counter-productive and dangerous adding that it is the duty of all of everyone to be vigilant so that collectively drugs can be wiped off the face of this country and for posterity. He continued: “We want the general public to know that the two tons of cocaine that was seized in Bonto in June 2010 will not be destroyed today. This amount is too huge to be burnt in an open air base as it is 85% concentration. The Agency in consultation with its partners is working for the procurement of an incinerator for the destruction of the two tons of cocaine. Once the incinerator is available the public will be duly informed for the destruction of the twotons cocaine.” For his part, Abubakar Senghore, the chairperson, Board of Directors of NDEA explained that it is customary for the Agency to organise a public destruction exercise when drugs cases have been successfully dealt with at the court. He said the destruction exercise is very important for the Agency, as it once again shows to the Gambian public the excellent work the men and women of the Agency are doing. “It also shows to the international community that the Gambia government is very serious in its drive to make the country a drug-free state. As we destroy these drugs today, the Agency will continue to count on the unflinching support of the government in providing the enabling environment for its management and the operations,” he added.

Muhammed Jah, the millionaire without a business plan

Muhammed Jah: "The greatest satisfaction to me is when I start seeing my employees moving from bachelorhood to marriagehood."Continue reading the main story

BBC: The Gambia's Muhammed Jah clearly remembers the day, in the late 1990s, when a friend told him that he was going to the airport to pick up a consultant who was coming to teach his department a word processing application popular at the time, WordPerfect.

"I said: 'How come we have a consultant coming all the way from Europe just to teach our people how to type a letter on a computer?'" Mr Jah told the BBC's series African Dream. "That was funny but serious to me, and there and then I decided that I was going to start teaching people computing." QuantumNet, the company that he set in motion with four employees, now has more than 300 information technology (IT) professionals on its payroll and, according to his estimates, is worth around £100m ($156m).Continue reading the main story“Start QuoteBased on the type of person I am, I would rather reach my goal in 18 years than to fail in five years” For him that is no mean feat. After all, Mr Jah - whose father was a school teacher - was the first in his family to go into business. It all started when, having finished school in The Gambia, he got a scholarship to do a diploma in Islamic Studies in Saudi Arabia. He says that although the stipend was very generous, he lived frugally and saved money - including the funds he had for holiday flights home - to pay his way through university. He then read for a degree in Electronics and Communications engineering at the University of Sierra Leone. When he returned to The Gambia he considered working as an engineer but then saw - thanks to his friend's illuminating trip to the airport - that there was an opening for computer entrepreneurs in the country.No business plan "When I finished my studies in Sierra Leone I had money left over from what I was saving in Saudi Arabia, and I also had a family loan, from an uncle of mine, but I remember I started my whole business with about $16,000 which enabled me to buy a few computers to start a training centre," Mr Jah told the BBC Africa's Victor Okhai.Continue reading the main storyMuhammed Jah· Age: 43 · Diploma in Islamic Studies, Saudi Arabia · Electronics and Communications engineering, University of Sierra Leone · Started QuantumNet with four employees · The company now employs more than 300 IT professionals · In 2006 his IT training centre became the QuantumNet Institute of Technology · Invested in QCell, the first 3G mobile telecom company in The Gambia · Gambian Businessman of the Year three times "My business instinct showed me that there was an opportunity so I quickly transformed myself from pure engineering to computing which is almost the same, so I did a few courses in computing to give to my people what I had learned. "Though I don't have a PhD or a Master's degree in computing, at that time I didn't need that high level to teach people how to type or how to use Excel." Mr Jah said that he felt he had received so much from his country that it was time to give something back. But when he started out, he did not have a business plan - "I didn't have time for that," he said. "I went straight into the business, I bought some machines, I started training people, a lot of them for free because when you teach people for free, even though they're not paying you, they'll bring you people who will pay you." In 2006 his training centre became the QuantumNet Institute of Technology which, according to Mr Jah, is one of the biggest private institutes in The Gambia. It offers a series of IT courses, from basic to advanced levels, including a diploma programme in Computing Science and Business Management, delivered in partnership with the University of The Gambia and Saint Mary's University, in Halifax, Canada.From computers to cars The firm, which was one of the West African country's internet pioneers, gradually expanded into selling products and became a distributor for companies such as Dell, Samsung, and Nokia. QCell became the fourth GSM operator in The Gambia and the first to operate a 3G network "Two and half years ago, I decided to move into telecom proper by investing in the first 3G mobile telecommunication company in The Gambia which is QCell," the entrepreneur said. QuantumNet is now a group of companies which has also gone into the car business - distributing, amongst others, Mercedes-Benz. Mr Jah - who has won a number of national and international awards, including Gambian Businessman of the Year three times - says that he tries to avoid borrowing money or using credit because interest rates are usually too high, often more than 20%, so he prefers to grow the business slowly and to add products when he can afford to do so. "If I had the finance at the right price 20 years ago, I would have probably been where I am today 10 years ago. But then, based on the type of person I am, I would rather reach my goal in 18 years than to fail in five years," he pointed out. According to Mr Jah, the biggest risk he ever took was venturing into the internet business because at the time The Gambia only had one telecommunications company (or "telco", as people in the industry call them), the state monopoly Gamtel. "Overnight, you have this young boy - with no money - just deciding to compete [against] that telco in delivering internet services. And, remember, the internet gateway was owned by that monopoly and I'm supposed to buy bandwidth from them and compete with them on the retail. "But the government telco was operating on normal government working hours, from 8.30am to 4pm. For me, as a small internet service provider I was operating 24 hours and this is how we captured the clientele," he explained.Marriage He has not only competed with the government, he has also worked with it, in both a formal and an informal capacity, as an advisor on IT issues. He sees this as part of the role of the private sector. The Gambia now has 90% mobile phone penetration rate and very good internet access.Continue reading the main story“Start QuoteI feel very good because I see that, with the small steps I have taken, I've managed to change a few people's lives, and I think I can do more” A new internet cable is due to reach the country in October 2012 and Mr Jah's company has bought the most private shares in this public/private partnership. This new venture is core to QuantumNet's expansion plans as the cable will improve internet speeds in the country and make things like video conferencing easier. Mr Jah believes there will be more opportunities for young Gambians to build businesses around the fast internet that the cable will provide. He says that when he was starting out, it was "madness" for bright graduates like himself not to seek a job with the government since most opportunities were in the public sector. Now most young people dream of setting up their own companies. Technology has changed everything. The private sector has overtaken the public, and this is the way Mr Jah thinks it should be. He would advise young people to be disciplined, honest and hardworking. He says that the main challenges he faced at the beginning were social attitudes, like getting employees to come to work on time, to be well-organized and show good customer service skills. He also points out that young entrepreneurs should start moderately so they can learn along the way. "Big mistakes can cost big," he says. Mr Jah, who this year is 43, speaks fondly of his younger employees. "The greatest satisfaction to me is when I start seeing my employees moving from bachelorhood to marriagehood. When we meet at our yearly family parties I feel very good because I see that, with the small steps I have taken, I've managed to change a few people's lives, and I think I can do more."

NDEA to destroy seized drugs

The Point Newspaper states that, The National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) will on Tuesday July 3 2012 embark on a massive public drug destruction exercise. The exercise, is part of activities marking the commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking. Though no specific figure as to the amount of drugs to be destroyed were given, it would recall that sometime in May 2010, 12 foreign nationals were arrested, prosecuted and jailed by the Banjul Magistrates’ Court for being in possession of cocaine amounting to two and half tons. They were, among others, accused of conspiring, with others now at large, to traffic in various measures of cocaine and other prohibited drugs totaling to more than two and a half tons in diverse places in The Gambia, between 2009 and May 2010, and at a warehouse located in the village of Bonto. It is also worth noting that in November 2010, the NDEA destroyed 1 ton, 113 kilograms, 255 grams of cannabis sativa and 1 kilogram, 280 grams of cocaine at an exercise held at the Old Cape Road along Cape Point in Bakau.

2 alleged ‘homosexuals’ acquitted and discharged

Kanifing Magistrates’ Court overseen by Principal Magistrate Tabally recently withdrew the charges against the 5th and 19th accused persons, Ogika Amenechi and Faity Jobe respectively in the ongoing alleged Homosexual trial. This development came following an application made by the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Jammeh immediately when the matter came up. In his reply, defence counsel, Lamin S. Camara said that he did not object to the application made but urged the court to not only discharge them but also to acquit them. The presiding magistrate granted the prosecution’s application, acquitted and discharged 5th and 19th accused persons. It will be recalled that a group of men alleged as homosexuals were brought to court sometime in April, 2012 and the trial has since been going at the Kanifing Magistrate Court. Meanwhile, hearing continues on the 12th July, 2012, at 2pm.

Two sentenced for Mobile phone theft The High Court of Banjul, presided over by Justice Abdulahi Mikailu has convicted and sentenced two men, Mustapha Cham and Saikou Minteh to life imprisonment for the offence of robbery with violence contrary to Section 272 of the Criminal Code, Laws of The Gambia.

On count one, the particulars of offence stated that Mustapha Cham and Saikou Minteh on or about the 25th February 2012 at New Jeshwang in the Kanifing Municipality, whilst armed with offensive weapons robbed one Ebou Njie of his Nokia mobile phone along with an Africell sim card and a Qcell sim card after subjecting him to assorted acts of violence. On count two, the particulars of offence also stated that the duo on the same day and place, conspired to rob with violence one Ebou Njie of his property which was carried out pursuant to the said agreement. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to both counts and the prosecution called three witnesses and tendered six exhibits; the accused persons gave evidence in their defence but did not call any witness and tendered no exhibit and at the end of the case for defence, both parties waived their right to address the court.

Foroyaa Newspaper reporter abused by treason convictTreason convict, Abdoulie Joof, verbally assaulted Fabakary Ceesay, a senior reporter with Foroyaa Newspaper in front of the Supreme Court. Ceesay found himself on Mr. Joof’s knife edge when he attempted to take a photo of the shackled convict.

His reaction was borne out of frustration and anger of being photographed in shackles. He asked the journalists, “Who asks you to take my photo?”Joof, who was found guilty of treason last year, asked the journalist not to “put my photo on your stupid newspapers.” Ceesay, who kept his cool throughout, told Kibaaro News: “I am simply doing my work as a journalist and human rights activist tasked with exposing their inhumane treatment.” What struck Mr. Ceesay like a thunderbolt was the convict’s continued assault on his mother. “He told me in Wollof somanatale rek, demma nuka sa yaye [if you take my photo, I will fuck your mother],” said Ceesay. Mr. Ceesay, also the communication officer of the Gambia’s Network of Human Rights Journalists, was a bit relieved when two other convicts, General Lang Tombong Tamba and General Omar Bun Mbye, came to the journalist’s defense. They told him to leave Mr. Ceesay alone to do his work. Tamba and Mbye also promised to calm him down once they reached Mile II. The assaulted journalist is contemplating about lodging a criminal complaint against Mr. Joof because “he has gone beyond the borders of his rights.” As a journalist and human rights activist, he said, nothing would “deter me from doing my work, which includes taking pictures that expose anything inhumane.”

TODAY Newspaper boss apologises to Lawyer Conteh

Observer has reported that Abdul Hamid Adiamoh, the managing editor of TODAY newspaper has written an apology letter to Lawyer Badou SM Conteh, defence counsel for Gumbo Touray in the false information trial involving the state against Gumbo Touray at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

It could be recalled that the Banjul Magistrates’ Court had earlier issued an arrest warrant for Adiamoh, following his publication on the said trial captioned: ‘Counsel sidesteps issues in cross-examination of UTG VC Professor Kah’.

The letter reads:This rejoinder intends to express my unreserved apology on the above titled article published on Tuesday, June 19 2012 edition of the TODAY Newspaper, where I wrote a news analysis on the ongoing court case between Mr. Gumbo Touray and Professor Muhammadou Kah of the University of The Gambia. I sincerely regret the publication of this news analysis. It was never intended to prejudice the court or be disrespectful to the authority of the court, presided over by His Worship, Principal Magistrate Taiwo Ade Alagbe, neither was it intended to malign or hold Lawyer Badou S.M. Conteh of Lords Chambers or anybody in contempt of any form whatsoever. Once again, I wish to express my unreserved support for the administration of justice in The Gambia.Signed,Abdul Hamid AdiamohTODAY Newspaper

Ex-agric officials’ case adjournedThe trial involving Ex-agric officials have been adjourned to the 27th of June 2012 at the Supreme Court in Banjul. Justice Emmanuel Amadi, on Monday, 25 June, 2012 adjourned the criminal case involving former Agriculture officials, who are facing multiple criminal charges before the said court, to 27th June 2012.The case could not proceed due to the absence of the state counsel, who was said to be in another matter at the Supreme Court in Banjul.

When the case was called up, the presiding judge, Justice Amadi adjourned the case to 27th June, 2012.

Journalist freed after 72 hours in remand72 hours after he has been remanded in custody at the State Central Prison, at Mile 2 for publishing an inaccurate story about a court proceeding, Lamin Njie, deputy editor-in-chief of The Daily News newspaper, has been released from custody. Njie walked into the Gambia Press Union new building at Fajara this afternoon with the executive members of the union before he proceeded to his office and then home. Dressed in an ash trouser, white shirt holding three white sheets of paper in his hand, Lamin shakes and hugs friends at the union. Njie was sent to remand after he was summoned to report to the High Court in Banjul over an article he authored in The Daily News. In that article he reported that four former senior officials of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) standing trial for economic crimes and abuse of office have been denied bail.

Use cooking stove to improve food security- Mamsamba Joof

Protecting the environment are key words in recent day development forums. The need to protect the environment and triggers numerous discussion in and around the world and governments and their people are doing everything possible to protect their own environments.

It is with this need, The Agency for the Development of Women and Children (ADWAC), in partnership with the Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Governance (SAGE) organised a two-day demonstration exercise on the use of cooking stoves for the communities of Kerr Ardo and Mandory in the North Bank Region.

The demonstration is to enlighten the communities on the use of stoves as alternate means to contribute to reforestation and protecting the environment. Speaking in Kerr Ardo, Mamsamba Joof, the executive director of ADWAC thanked the communities of Kerr Ardo and Mandory for their support to the regeneration of the forest to improve food security and sustainable land management. He said the use of improved cooking stoves would enhance the health status of women, noting that his agency and partners attach great importance to environmental protection and health of women and children. Speaking to reporters in Kerewan, Lamin A Jarju, ADWAC livelihood manager also affirmed that the demonstration in Kerr Ardo and Mandory aimed at empowering the communities to adopt the use of improved stoves. He also noted the significance of the alternative energy source to environmental protection and conservation, noting that the promotion of improved cooking stoves would raise more awareness on the usage. Beneficiaries such as Njambeh Njie, lady councilor for Lower Baddibu, Penda Joof of Kerr Ardo, Binta Marong, Njaku Fatajo and Majula Ceesay all of Mandori in Central Baddibu District all commended the efforts of ADWAC in contributing to environmental protection and promoting the heath of women and children. They all commit themselves to the full use of the cooking stoves, with the ultimate aim of protecting and preserving their status.

Joy in homes of relatives and love ones As army contingent returned home from troubled Sudanese region of Dafur

Families and love ones of the returned military personnel from the troubled Sudanese region of Dafur are beaming with smiles the contingent (GAMCOY 13) jetted at the Banjul International Airport yesterday. The contingent completed their six-month peace keeping duty in Darfur.

98 personnel of the contingent were received at the foot of the aircraft by the deputy chief of Defence Staff, Major General Ousamn Bargie. In his welcoming remarks, Major General Bargie, deputy CDS on behalf of CDS, said the officers have done extremely well in Darfur and have maintained the Gambian flag high.

Major General Bargie, assured that the good reputation that The Gambia has won in Darfur will continue despite the misbehaviour of certain personnel in the contingent. “Investigations are going to be launched and anybody found wanting in that regard will be dealt with accordingly,” he warned.

Recounting the trip to Dafur, Major Musa Gibba, a member of Gamcoy 13, remembers that day he was flying out to Dafur. He said, “It was the same day I lost my father but I carried on. The mission has not been easy but with the help of God we were able to conquer some of the challenges we encountered there,” he added.

Meanwhile, Captain Amadou Bojang, Officer Commanding Military Police at the Yundum Barracks, also welcomed the contingent back home and commended them for their hard work while in Darfur.